Rapid sampler



Sept. 1, 1964 w. B. TIJMANN ETAL 3,146,838

RAPID SAMPLER Filed Oct. 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l T Q J l 'l IG-" i Q zF Q A 2gb 32 HX/J; m 5

@Jim la N l'. tl A LEROY V. BOVE ATTORNEYS Sept. 1, 1964 w, B. TIJMANNETAL 3,146,838

RAPID SAMPLER Filed Oct. 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illu' nl fw mf w w!ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,146,838 RAPID SAMPLER c Willem B.Tjmann, 197 Miller Ave., Mill Valley, Calif., andlfLe Roy V. Bovey, 66Jewell St., San Rafael, Cal' Filed Oct. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 232,998 9Claims. (Cl. 175-405) This invention relates to apparatus for samplingsolid materials. In one aspect it relates to soil sampling apparatus ofthe type designed for use on or below the surface of the ground. Forexample, the present apparatus is particularly well adapted to thetaking of samples from each layer of a fill as it is deposited.

The present device is applicable broadly to the taking of samples fromsolid materials. For example, it is possible to use the presentapparatus to sample a food item such as butter and wherein the samplemay be taken directly through its outer container. In like manner thepresent device may be used to sample co pressed articles such as woodenmaterials. In the preferred embodiment the present device is used totake samples of soil. These samples may be taken from the surface of theground. The same techniques are also useful in taking subsurface samplesduring excavations for example, or from a mine shaft. For ease ofdescription, the invention will hereinafter be described with referenceto the preferred utility of soil sampling, the application thereof toother areas being obvious.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides apparatus forobtaining a soil sample comprising a cylindrical coring tube having anearth penetrating edge adjacent one edge thereof. A cover is removablyfixed on the opposite end of the tube and a rod is supported on andextends outwardly from the cover for receiving an explosive downwardpressing force for driving the penetrating edge of the tube into theground. A unitary plastic sleeve of preselected volume is removablyfixed interiorly of the tube llush with the inner surfaces of thepenetrating edge for receiving a soil sample. Cooperatively aligned gasvents are placed in the tube and sleeve adjacent said cover but spacedtherefrom.

The present apparatus also includes a loose fitting outer protectivecylindrical housing and guide for the coring tube. The housing and guidehas a bottom open end to permit movement of the coring tube from thehousing into the ground. A platform extends outwardly from the guidehousing for supporting the housing substantially normal to the groundand for receiving forces to counteract any recoil of the coring tubewhen the tube is explosively pressed into the ground.

Downwardly directed vents are present in the housing for releasing gasunder pressure from the interior of the guide housing to the adjacentatmosphere in the direction of the materials being sampled. The top ofthe cylindrical housing opposite from the open end denes an aperturethrough which at least part of the coring tube rod is upwardly extendedwhen the coring tube is positioned in the guide housing so that downwardforces may be applied to the coring tube rod from without the guidehousing.

ln the preferred embodiment the apparatus also includes in combinationwith the foregoing, an explosive powder actuated gun for cooperationwith the portion of the coring tube rod extending upwardly through theguide housing aperture. As a result, the coring tube rod may beexplosively pressed toward the ground by expanding gases from the gun.

The present invention has a number of features and advantages peculiarthereto. One of the more outstanding of these is the rapidity with whichthe apparatus may be used to obtain a given soil sample particularlyPatented Sept. l, 19:64

ice

when the combination with the powder actuated gun is employed. It hasbeen found that where only about three soil samples per hour wasobtainable with hand operated units previously designed for similarpurposes, the present apparatus is capable of obtaining about ten soilsamples per hour.

Closely related to the speed of operation of the present unit are thesafety features which have been incorporated. Thus the present apparatusprovides means for guarding against recoiling of the coring tube whichmight occur if the tube were to strike a particularly dense objectduring its insertion into the ground. For example, when the coring tubeis explosively propelled and a rock is encountered, a relatively violentrecoil might be experienced which, if not provided for, could result inserious injury to the operator of the unit.

ln the preferred embodiment a platform extending outwardly from theguide housing is provided upon which the operator of the unit may standand thereby employ his weight as a counteracting force against recoilwhich would otherwise be entirely absorbed by the arms of the operatorand could result in broken bones.

Another aspect of the safety features of the present unit lies in thepositioning of the gas vent ports in both the coring tube and guidehousing. It is essential to provide gas vents for the present unit whereexplosive propelling means for the coring tube is to be employed. Gasunder pressure may be generated both by the explosive propelling meansas well as by the movement of the coring tube into the ground. Thesegases are released in the preferred embodiment in such a manner thatthey are directed toward the ground and not toward vulnerable portionsof the operator of the apparatus.

Perhaps an even more important advantageous aspect of the presentinvention lies in the ease of removal of the sample from the coring tubeafter it has been positioned within the coring tube. Thus in the presentinvention the sample is gathered in a removable sleeve in the coringtube. The sleeve is readily taken from the coring tube and a new sleevemay be inserted as a replacement for immediate further use of theapparatus. Further, the sleeve permits preservation of the sample if thesleeve is suitably sealed (with caps for example) immediately after itsremoval from the coring tube. This avoids any possible change inmoisture content in the sample and permits the sample to be analyzed atany convenient later time instead of requiring analysis at once. Thislatter advantage is all the more important when it is considered thatthe present unit is adapted for obtaining a plurality of samples inrapid succession. Also, the use of a sleeve in the present inventionprovides a way to preserve the soil sample for later comparisons,reanalysis, and/or testing if desired.

Further features and advantages gained in the use of the present devicerelate to the condition of the soil in the sample and the soilsurrounding the sample area. Due to the explosive force and highacceleration with which the coring tube enters the ground, the soil issheared cleanly and without disturbing its packing. Disturbances in boththe sample and surrounding soil are limited to an extremely thin Zone.This has obvious desirable results in not upsetting the area beingsarnpled and in preserving the sample itself in as natural a state aspossible for subsequent analysis. Test results are thereby rendered morevalid. T-he size and mobility of the present unit also lends theapparatus for use in taking samples in restricted narrow areas as wellas in submarine explorations.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown in FlG. l a plan view of thepresent guide housing with the coring tube inserted therein in positionfor use.

FIG. 2 shows in end section the guide housing of FIG. l and taken alongthe lines 2 2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 shows a top elevational view of the guide housing and coring tubeof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the guide housing and coring tube of FIG. 1with the guide housing in section.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the coring tube of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged sectional view of the coring tube of thepresent invention taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the present apparatus in position for use onthe ground, with the fuither combination of a powder actuated gun inposition for propelling the coring tube.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the combination of apparatus of FIG. 7wherein the powder actuated gun has been tired and the coring tube, withparts broken away, is shown penetrating the ground.

More specifically with respect to the drawings, the protective housingyand guide of the present apparatus shown generally at A includes acylindrical body 1t) mounted on a platform 11 which extends outwardlyfrom the lower portion of the cylindrical body 10. Platform 11 isdesigned for placement on the ground 12 from which a soil sample is tobe obtained. Platform 11 serves to support the unit generally normal tothe ground and thus in coring alignment therewith. Platform 11 has afurther function in counteracting possible recoil, the cause of whichwill be more fully described hereinafter.

Cylindrical body defines an aperture 13 in the top portion thereof overwhich an upwardly extending tubular cylindrical extension 14 is mountedconcentrically therewith. Cylindrical body 10 includes a plurality ofvents 15 opening fluid communication between the interior cavity 16 andthe exterior of body 10. Vents 15 are angularly inclined with respect tothe ground and open into the surrounding atmosphere in a downwarddirection with respect to the ground as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The coring tube shown generally at B includes a cylindrical body portion18 having an earth penetrating edge 19 at one end thereof. A removablecover 20 is fitted on the upper opposite end 21 of body portion 18.Cover 211 includes a depending annular ring 22 which fits closely on theinner surfaces of body 1S at upper end 21. A plurality of screws 23a,23b are threadably inserted through body 18 and into annular ring 22 tofix cover 2t) on body 1S during use of the apparatus.

A rod 24 is pivotally engaged in cover 20 in a cooperating recess 25that is centrally positioned on cover 20. Rod 24 is circumferentiallynotched at its lower end as at 24a. Rod 24 is held in recess 25 by screw25a. Screw 25a is threadably inserted through cover 20 normal to rod 24and enters notch 24a. When screw 25a is in notch 24a as in FIG. 6, rod24 is joined to cover 20. However, since recess 25 is suitably of alarger radius than rod 24, rod 24 is pivotable therein. The advantage ofthis type of permissible movement will be mentioned later.

A sleeve 26 which is preferably made of plastic is insertedlongitudinally interiorly of body 18 in close conformity with theinterior surfaces thereof. (See FIG. 6.) The interior surfaces of body18 are excised as at 27 to permit the insertion of sleeve 26 so that theinterior surface of sleeve 26 is flush with the interior surfaces ofpenetrating edge 19.

Sleeve 26 is suitably inserted in body 18 by removing screws 23a, 23band cover 2t) from body 18 and sliding sleeve 26 through end 21 of body18. Replacement of cover 2t) and screws 23a and 23h serves to retainsleeve 26 in position as shown in FIG. 6 during use of the apparatus.

Fluid communication between the interior of sleeve 26 and cavity 16 ofbody 10 is accomplished by means of a pair of vent holes 28a in body 18of coring tube B which are cooperatively aligned with a pair of ventholes .I 2gb in sleeve 26. Vent holes 23a, 2312 are located near end 21of body 18 adjacent cover 20.

When assembled for use the apparatus in positioned as shown in FIG. 4with coring tube B placed interiorly of guide housing A. Rod 24 ofcoring tube B is inserted through aperture 13 and cylindrical extension14 of guide housing A so that at least a portion of rod 24 extendsupwardly and out of guide housing A. Rod 24 is thus in position forreceiving an explosive downward pressing force from without guidehousing A. The internal diameter of cylindrical extension 14 isapproximately equal to the external diameter of rod 24. In any even, theinner diameter of extension 14 is made so that the interior of extension14 frictionally engages rod 24 when inserted therethrough. As a resultcoring tube B, when in position for use in housing A, is held above theground by frictional forces as illustrated in FIG. 4. This preferredrelationship is desirable so that coring tube B has a distance to travelbefore striking the ground 12. This permits coring tube B to gainadditional speed before striking the ground and makes penetration of theground faster and less disruptive of the soil structure. It also insurescompleteness of penetration of the ground to a depth equal to the lengthof sleeve 26.

As previously noted the coring tube is preferably explosively pressedinto the earth with an explosive powder actuated gun 29. Any suitablegun may be used for this purpose such as that described in United StatesPatent No. 2,470,117 to Temple patented May 17, 1949. The powderactuated gun known as Model 330 ISP-8 manufactured by Omark Industries,Inc., Portland, Oregon, is particularly well adapted for use with thepresent apparatus.

The selected powder actuated gun 29 is cooperatively engaged with theportion of rod 24 which extends upwardly through aperture 13 andcylindrical extension 14 of housing A as illustrated particularly inFIG. 7. If Coring tube B is inserted within guide housing A on theground to be sampled as illustrated in FIG. 7, gun 29 may be tired bypulling trigger 30 whereupon an explosive gas produces a pressing forceon head 32 (see FIG. 5) of rod 24. The entire coring tube B is therebypropelled at high acceleration downwardly into ground 12 as illustratedin FIG. 8. During the passage of coring tube B into ground 12, sleeve 26is filled with soil as the ground is severed by earth penetrating edge19.

The reason for the preferred mounting of rod 24 on cover 20 in a pivotalfashion as described above will now be explained. During the passage ofcoring tube B from housing A into the ground it sometimes happens thattube B will not travel during the entire penetrating distance in aperpendicular plane with respect to the ground. This may be due to anynumber of reasons, with the most prevalant one being the striking offoreign objects in the ground by penetrating edge 19. If tube B is thustilted during its passage from housing A into the ground, rod 24 willstrike the interior of aperture 13. If rod 24 were fixed to cover 2t) itcould result in rod 24 becoming bent or broke. By mounting rod 24 in apivotal fashion the rod merely shifts to the side to absorb the forces0f striking the sides of aperture 13.

Suitably, gun 29 is provided with a safety mechanism which prevents thefiring thereof unless gun 29 is in a predetermined position. Forexample, gun 29 as positioned in FIG. 7 is spaced from cylindricalextension 14. In this position rod 24 may be made so that it is notsufliciently long enough to contact a safety release (not shown) withingun 29. If gun 29 is forced downwardly into contact with extension 14 asshown in FIG. 8, rod 24 may be made of a sufficient length to trip asafety release within gun 29.

On the downward passage of coring tube B as in FIG. 8, gas beingcompressed between the soil entering sleeve 26 and cover 20 is releasedthrough vent holes 28a and 2gb and into cavity 16 of body 1t), andthereupon released to the atmosphere through vents 15 of body 10.Similarly, expanding gases which may be injected into cavity 16 from gun29 are released directly through vents 15 toward the atmosphere. Allexterior venting occurs toward the ground and away from the user of thedevice because of the direction of vents 15.

Venting from the interior of tube B preferably proceeds through sleeve26 and body 18 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Venting to the sides ispreferred since upward venting might otherwise proceed into cavity 16 ofhousing A and up through extension 14 into the gun. Where the expandinggas carries some dirt or other particles with it, damage to the guncould result. In addition, by placing vents 28a and 28h adjacent cover2t) but spaced therefrom, venting proceeds smoothly as the soil samplefills sleeve 26. When the soil sample reaches the level of vents 28a and28h, the vents are covered by the soil sample and gases can no longerescape. From that point on the gas becomes compressed in the spacebetween the soil sample and cover 20. This compression of gas preventsthe soil sample from being packed against cover 20 and also stops thedownward motion of coring tube B when sleeve 26 has been filled.

Preferably, the user of the device will place his feet on platform 11with one foot on each side of body 10. The weight of the user willthereby provide downward forces which will counteract any recoil whichmay occur in the event that coring tube B should strike an impenetrableobject such as a rock. In this event coring tube B might move upwardlyand back into protective guide housing A. However, any upward movementis checked as soon as cover 20 strikes roof 32 of body 10. The weight ofthe user on platform 11 would counteract any upward movement ofprotective guide housing A imparted by the impact of cover 20 on roof32.

After the coring tube B has been driven downwardly into ground 12,housing A is suitably lifted upwardly and over rod 24, and rod 24 pulledupwardly to recover coring tube A from the ground. Screws 23a, 23h aresuitably removed and cover 20 lifted out of engagement with body 18.Sleeve 26 with the soil sample therein is slipped from body 18 andirnediately capped on both ends with suitable fluid-tight caps which maybe made from plastic or similar materials. A new sleeve 26 may then beinserted in body 18 and cover 20 replaced with screws 23a, 23h. Furthersoil samples may be thereafter obtained in the manner described above.The sample which has been capped may be analyzed at any convenient timeand may be stored indefinitely without change in composition.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is understood that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for obtaining a sample of a solid material comprising acoring tube having a penetrating edge adjacent one end and means adaptedfor receiving an ex'- plosive downward pressing force adjacent theopposite end thereof, an outer protective housing and guideconcentrically surrounding said coring tube along its entire length andover at least part of said opposite end, said housing having an open endto permit movement of said tube from within said housing into the solidmaterial, and means rigidly joined to and extending outwardly from saidguide housing for supporting the housing in coring alignment with thesolid material and for receiving forces to counteract any recoil of saidcoring tube when the coring tube is explosively pressed into the solidmaterial from the housing, said guide housing being adapted to permitactuation of said means adapted for receiving an explosive downwardpressing force from without said housing.

2. Apparatus for obtaining a soil sample comprising a coring tube havingan earth penetrating edge adjacentr one end thereof and an elongateprojection supported on and extending upwardly from the opposite end ofsaid tube for receiving an explosive downward pressing force for drivingsaid tube into the ground, an outer protective housing and guide looselyconforming to said coring tube and having an open end to permit movementof said tube from said housing into the ground, a platform extendingoutwardly from said guide housing for supporting the housingsubstantially normal to the surface of the ground and for receivingforces to counteract any recoil of said coring tube when said coringtube is explosively pressed into the ground from the housing, saidhousing having another end opposite from said open end defining anaperture through which at least part of said coring tube projectionextends when said coring tube is inserted within said guide housing.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and including a powder actuatedgun adapted for cooperation with the part of said coring tube projectionwhich extends through said guide housing aperture to explosively presssaid projection downwardly with expanding gas when said gun is fired.

4. Apparatus for obtaining a sample of solid material comprising acoring tube having a penetrating edge adjacent one end thereof and meansfor receiving a downward pressing force adjacent the opposite endthereof, a unitary removable sleeve inserted longitudinally within saidcoring tube for receiving a sample of solid material a removable coveron said coring tube for retaining said sleeve and sample therein, and anouter protective housing and guide for said coring tube positionedloosely therearound, said guide housing being open at the bottom t0permit movement of said tube from said housing into the solid material,said housing being adapted to permit actuation of said means forreceiving a downward pressing force from without said housing.

5. Apparatus for obtaining a soil sample comprising a coring tube havingan earth penetrating edge adjacent one end thereof and means forreceiving a downward pressing force adjacent the opposite end thereof, aremovable unitary plastic sleeve fitted flush with the interior surfacesof said coring tube for receiving a soil sample, a removable cover onsaid coring tube for retaining said sleeve and soil sample therein, andan outer protective housing and guide for said coring tube positionedloosely therearound, said guide housing being open at the bottom topermit movement of said tube from said housing into the ground, saidhousing being adapted to permit actuation of said means for receiving adownward pressing force from without said housing.

6. Apparatus for obtaining a soil sample comprising a cylindrical coringtube having an earth penetrating edge adjacent one end thereof, a coverremovably fixed on the opposite end of said tube, a rod supported on andextending outwardly from said cover for receiving an explosive downwardpressing force for driving the penetrating edge of said tube into theground, a unitary plastic sleeve of preselected volume removably fixedinteriorly of said tube ush with the inner surfaces of said penetratmgedge for receiving a soil sample, cooperatively aligned gas vents insaid tube and sleeve adjacent said cover but spaced therefrom, and aloose fitting outer protective cylindrical housing and guide for saidcoring tube having a bottom open end to permit movement of said tubefrom said housing into the ground, a platform extending outwardly fromsaid guide housing for supporting said housmg substantially normal tothe ground and for receiving forces to counteract any recoil of thecoring tube when said tube is explosively pressed into the ground,downwardly directed vents in said housing for releasing gas underpressure from the interior of said guide housing to the adjacentatmosphere in the direction of the ground, the top end of saidcylindrical housing opposite from said open end defining an aperturethrough which at least part of said coring tube rod is upwardly extendedwhen the coring tube is positioned in the guide housing so that downwardforces may be applied to said coring tube rod from without the guidehousing.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 and including an explosivepowder actuated gun for cooperation with the portion of said coring tuberod extending upwardly through said guide housing aperture whereby saidrod may be explosively pressed toward the ground by expanding gas fromsaid gun when tired.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rod is pivotallyattached to said cover.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 and including a tubularcylindrical extension mounted on the top end of said housing concentricwith said aperture thereon, and wherein the inner diameter of saidextension conforms to the surface of said rod to frictionally supportsaid rod and tube in said housing,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,109,446 Melberg Sept. 1, 1914 3,098,533 Ostrom July 23, 1963 FOREIGNPATENTS 27,634 Australia July 2, 1931 881,787 Great Britain Nov. 8, 1961

1. APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING A SAMPLE OF A SOLID MATERIAL COMPRISING ACORING TUBE HAVING A PENETRATING EDGE ADJACENT ONE END AND MEANS ADAPTEDFOR RECEIVING AN EXPLOSIVE DOWNWARD PRESSING FORCE ADJACENT THE OPPOSITEEND THEREOF, AN OUTER PROTECTIVE HOUSING AND GUIDE CONCENTRICALLYSURROUNDING SAID CORING TUBE ALONG ITS ENTIRE LENGTH AND OVER AT LEASTPART OF SAID OPPOSITE END, SAID HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN END TO PERMITMOVEMENT OF SAID TUBE FROM WITHIN SAID HOUSING INTO THE SOLID MATERIAL,AND MEANS RIGIDLY JOINED TO AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID GUIDEHOUSING FOR SUPPORTING THE HOUSING IN CORING ALIGNMENT WITH THE SOLIDMATERIAL AND FOR RECEIVING FORCES TO COUNTERACT ANY RECOIL OF SAIDCORING TUBE WHEN THE